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An upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is an illness caused by an acute infection, which involves the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx or trachea. [ 3 ] [ 4 ] This commonly includes nasal obstruction, sore throat, tonsillitis , pharyngitis , laryngitis , sinusitis , otitis media , and the common cold .
Pharyngitis is a type of upper respiratory tract infection. [7] Most cases are caused by a viral infection. [2] Strep throat, a bacterial infection, is the cause in about 25% of children and 10% of adults. [2] Uncommon causes include other bacteria such as gonococcus, fungi, irritants such as smoke, allergies, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Symptoms typically begin one to three days after exposure and last seven to ten days. [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 11 ] Strep throat is spread by respiratory droplets from an infected person, spread by talking, coughing or sneezing, or by touching something that has droplets on it and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.
Respiratory illnesses, allergies, and the early stages of sepsis may also cause chills, Cohan says. But there's always one more thing to consider with chills—a fever could still be on the horizon.
Viruses that cause respiratory infections are affected by environmental conditions like relative humidity and temperature. Temperate climate winters have lower relative humidity, which is known to increase the transmission of influenza. [29] Of the viruses that cause respiratory infections in humans, most have seasonal variation in prevalence.
Laryngitis is categorized as acute if it lasts less than 3 weeks and chronic if symptoms last more than 3 weeks. [1] Acute cases usually occur as part of a viral upper respiratory tract infection, [1] other infections, and trauma such as from coughing or other causes. [1]
RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus infection, is a common illness that usually presents as a mild cold. Almost everyone has been infected with it by age 2, according to the CDC.
Despite general symptoms and problems with the upper respiratory tract (such as high fever, headache, a dry irritating cough followed later by a productive cough with radiographs showing consolidation), there are in general few physical signs. The patient looks better than the symptoms suggest. [2] [5]